Scientific Reports: At the Helm of Arctic Climate Research

Author: Anthony Heron

As a Managing Editor for Scientific Reports, I have had the immense pleasure of working with leading experts who are helping to solve the most pressing issues that face our world. Our Collections have played a key role in reinforcing Springer Nature’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs). In this blog I reveal how  Scientific Reports is at the forefront of the scientific community when it comes to driving solutions that address SDG number 13: safeguarding our future by addressing climate change.

The Arctic is often called the ‘first frontier’ when it comes to climate change, and for a good reason. It’s where the planet’s warming is most visible, rapid, and consequential. In fact, the Arctic is warming at over three times that of the global annual average. It stands as a stark reminder of why our commitment matters; it's where the first, and arguably most important, chapter of global warming is being written.  

Below is a curated series of past and present Collections that illustrate the efforts of our research communities in addressing climate change in the Arctic and beyond. As an open access journal, Scientific Reports ensures that critical climate research, especially on vulnerable regions like the Arctic, is freely available to scientists and policymakers, accelerating global responses to climate change.

Sustainable Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications in Harsh Conditions   

Led by Guest Editors Sehoon Chang & Wei Wang Aramco Research Center-Boston, USA 

A key challenge for the Arctic research community is monitoring permafrost thaw and declining sea-ice levels across a vast and geographically demanding region. The infrequent expeditions of the past are no longer sufficient to keep up with the rapid changes that are driven by climate change. This calls for the development of remote monitoring and sensing technologies that can reliably operate in sub-zero conditions, sometimes below -40 °C. These materials must not only withstand extreme cold, but they must also consider other harsh environmental factors such as salinity and pressure. 

This is where Scientific Reports’ Collection, “Sustainable Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications in Harsh Conditions,” plays a vital role. By welcoming research in nanotechnology and bioengineering, it fosters groundbreaking innovation in sustainable materials that can address real-world Arctic challenges. This research is vital to enhancing the durability of monitoring infrastructure, and in ensuring consistent performance in extreme environments. 

Advances in sustainable manufacturing practices 

Led by Guest Editors Giancarlo Cravotto, University of Turin, Italy, & Ali Karrech, University of Western Australia, Australia 

Sustainable manufacturing can play a vital role in mitigating climate change. By embracing developments in green production methods and renewable energy, to name a few, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the Arctic is one of Earth’s most fragile and ruralised regions, minimising industrial footprint is crucial. Innovations in eco-friendly materials manufacturing will help to ensure that manufacturing decisions support long-term environmental health. These efforts not only curb emissions but also protect fragile and untouched ecosystems from pollutants and climate-change disruption.

Cement and Concrete Innovation for Construction 

A cross-journal collaboration, hosted by the Scientific Reports journal, alongside the Nature Communications and Communications Materials journals. 

Innovations in sustainable cement and concrete technologies can also significantly help address climate change. In the Arctic, where infrastructure must withstand extreme conditions, durable materials reduce the need for frequent repairs and resource-intensive rebuilding. Additionally, some technologies, such as CO2-sequestering concrete, actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. As highlighted in Scientific Reports’ Cement and Concrete Innovation for Construction Collection, these innovations support both climate change goals (SDG 13) and responsible consumption (SDG 12), making them essential in preserving fragile ecosystems and paving the way for low-carbon infrastructure that is resilient. 

Targeted Degradation 

Led by David Dougan, La Trobe University, Australia, Shiqing Xu, Texas A&M University, United States, & Yujun Zhao, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China. 

The Arctic is warming fast, and we need new tools to protect its fragile environment. Developments in one particularly exciting area of science, targeted protein degradation, could prove vital. Although frequently researched in its capacity to treat diseases, because this technology can break down specific proteins in cells, it might be used in the future to clean up pollution, control harmful microbes, or help Arctic plants and animals adapt to changes from climate change.  

In exploring how these tools work and where they can be applied, researchers submitting to the Targeted Degradation Collection will contribute to new ways of protecting the Arctic and other vulnerable global ecosystems.

Driving Climate Change Action  

Scientific Reports continues to champion accessible science that meets, what is arguably, the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Through curated and multidisciplinary Collections that span sustainable materials, construction, and emerging technologies like targeted degradation, our Collections provide a space for researchers and their ingenuity in tackling climate change.  

By making this research freely available, we empower global collaboration and inform decision-making across borders, including in the Arctic, where the stakes are highest. As the region transforms before our eyes, Scientific Reports will remain committed to publishing impactful science that drives solutions for a more sustainable future.  

Scientific Reports is an open access journal publishing original research from across all areas of the natural sciences, psychology, medicine and engineering. As the 5th most-cited journal in the world, we offer authors a trustworthy and highly respected home for their research. Explore our Collections.

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